The Taliban killed at least 291 Afghan security personnel over the past week, a top government official said Monday, accusing the insurgents of unleashing a wave of violence ahead of potential talks. The previous week was the “deadliest” in the country’s 19 years of conflict, said Javid Faisal, spokesman for the National Security Council, even as the insurgents dismissed the latest figures. Source France
The measures are included in the final draft of the 2021 defense policy bill. Work on the €9.5 billion pipeline, which has been halted for a year because of the threat of sanctions, is scheduled to restart on Saturday. Source Deutsche Welle
Judges in The Hague will on Tuesday start hearing claims that oil giant Shell has not done enough to combat climate change in a case brought by environmental groups and supported by over 17,000 private individuals. Source Dutch News
The President of the Republic wants to put the learning of Arabic “in the Republic” for the sake of the fight against separatism but also of recognition. “It has something to contribute for our country”. Asked this Friday evening on the Brut media, Emmanuel Macron pleaded for the teaching of Arabic at school, especially for students who already practice this language in their families. Source BFMTV
